Monday’s Seahawks wrap: Latest on the left tackles

Mansfield Wrotto (66), shown here working during practice last week, remains the most likely answer at left tackle for opening day even as Russell Okung and Chester Pitts try to get ready. (Rod Mar/Seattle Seahawks)

While the Seahawks just did a light walk-through practice Monday with no pads or helmets as they recovered from Saturday’s preseason game, veteran Chester Pitts was a welcome sight for the team as he took some of the snaps at left tackle.

Chester Pitts

The former Houston Texan starter, who signed late in the offseason as he recovers from microfracture knee surgery, will travel with the team and suit up Thursday against the Raiders even though he won’t play in that final preseason game.

Rookie Russell Okung was also out on the practice field watching from the sideline Monday for the first time since he sprained his right ankle 10 days earlier.

Coach Pete Carroll hasn’t ruled Okung out for the Sept. 12 opener against the 49ers, though he admits that might just be his ultra-optimistic side coming out.

“It will be pretty special recovery if he’s able to do that, but who knows?” Carroll said.

It’s also extremely optimistic to think Pitts might be ready to roll by opening day, given he’s still wearing a large brace on his knee and just beginning to practice with the team.

“He’s worked as hard as anybody I’ve ever seen, the hours he’s put in and dedication to it,” Carroll said. “Hopefully we’ll reap the benefits of that. He’s going to be rusty, no matter what, at this point. But we’ll see at the end of next week what that all means. And we’ll see where Russell is in all of that and just determine it when the time comes.

“Russell is getting around now. He’s walking alright and is coming along. We’ll just have to see what happens. I know for Russell’s sake, he’s dying to play in this first game and will do everything he can to get back. So we’ll just see how it goes.”

Mansfield Wrotto

The most likely scenario is that converted guard Mansfield Wrotto fills the gap as he’s done the last two games until Okung is ready. Wrotto acquitted himself very well Saturday against Vikings All-Pro defensive end Jared Allen, though Carroll acknowledged he got lots of help in terms of game-planning.

“He did all right. The system worked fine,” Carroll said. “To take care of Jared Allen is something we tried to do. When you have a marquee player like that, there are some things you do and tricks you use. We took this opportunity to kind of dig into the bag there and see what we needed to do and things worked out for the most part.

“I thought he played fine. He didn’t really match up with Jared very many times in the game plan and we wanted to make sure we respected him and his play. For the most part, we did all right with him.”

Allen had no sacks and just one tackle in playing just over a half, but Seattle often threw on quick drops, used tight end John Carlson to chip block on Allen or rolled Matt Hasselbeck out to avoid Allen.

Those are all things that can be done in future games as well, though all limit the offensive game-planning if required too much.

Aaron Curry

From the medical department: Linebacker Aaron Curry hyperextended his elbow during Saturday’s loss, but remained in after that and played his best game so far, according to Carroll.

The coach said the news is good on fellow outside linebacker David Hawthorne, who is “coming back around” after missing last week with a hip issue.

Carroll said there were no serious injuries out of the Vikings’ contest.

Quarterback rotation: Carroll didn’t want to get into his playing rotation for Thursday’s 7 p.m. contest in Oakland, but indicated third-string quarterback J.P. Losman will get some playing time after sitting out the last two games.

Charlie Whitehurst

Normally starters play just a series or two in the preseason finale, which means backup QB Charlie Whitehurst again will get a lot of action.

Carroll’s analysis of Whitehurst’s preseason to date?

“I think Charlie has done good stuff. Unfortunately he’s had a play in there in each game that’s been really regrettable,” Carroll said. “He’s had four turnovers, but he’s thrown a lot of good balls.

“He’s shown he can make all the plays. He’s moved well. He’s been in command of the offense and had no problems with communication.

“He’s had a very successful preseason for us and I’m hoping he’s going to feel confident going in. I know he’s disappointed in the turnovers, but those are things we can fix. I’m very pleased with him at this point.”

Don’t be surprised if the Seahawks, who’ve already shown a penchant for looking at a high number of players, bring in a few of those released elsewhere in the coming days.

“As always, we’ll continue to compete and look at everything that happened and see if anything can affect us in a positive way,” Carroll said.

Among the Monday cuts that might interest the Seahawks: former Raiders running back Justin Fargas, who played for Carroll at USC, was released by Denver. The Seahawks were interested in Fargas during the offseason, but he opted for the Broncos.

Given the Seahawks’ shortage at tackle, they also might want to take a good look at Kyle Callaway, a seventh-round draft pick released by the Bills. Calloway is a 6-6, 322-pounder out of Iowa.